What is Protected?

Original works of authorship that have been fixed to a particular tangible medium.

"The fixation need not be directly perceptible so long as it may be communicated with the aid of a machine or device." (That is, if you can play it, watch it, listen to it, touch it, or read it, it's protected.)

Copyright, Patent, Trademark

A trademark typically protects brand names and logos used on goods and services.

A copyright protects an original artistic or literary work.

A patent protects an invention.

For example, if you invent a new kind of vacuum cleaner, you would apply for a patent to protect the invention itself. You would apply to register a trademark to protect the brand name of the vacuum cleaner. And you might register a copyright for the TV commercial that you use to market the product."